Trampolines and Mat Connectors for Trampolines

ABSTRACT

A trampoline or trampoline system including: a frame or other foundation; biasing means mounted to said frame or other foundation; and a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame or other foundation in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality of mats being operatively connected to each other along respective adjacent portions thereof, and selected second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats upwards; and wherein adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent portions thereof by selected third ones of said biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other.

This invention relates to trampolines and mat connectors for trampolines. The invention has particular application to trampolines arranged in side by side abutting relationship and having their respective jumping mats joined to each other, for example, for use in trampoline parks. The invention also has particular application to mat connectors for connecting the jumping mats of two or more adjacent trampolines.

Trampoline parks typically include sections where a plurality of independent trampolines are arranged side by side to form an array with the jumping mats horizontal. In some parks, some trampolines can have part of the jumping mat extending horizontally and contiguous with a part which is inclined to the horizontal and perhaps even close to vertical. Trampolines which are currently used in trampoline parks typically include a steel frame with a rectangular flexible jumping mat secured to the frame by a large number of spaced apart extension springs, the axes of which are coplanar with the mat, and are arranged to extend and contract as a person jumps on the mat in order to give “bounce”.

In such trampolines the extension springs and the space between the jumping mat and the frame across which the extension springs extend is typically covered by a padded safety barrier (or “padding”) extending about the mat. That space is typically in the order of 300 mm wide but can be wider or narrower depending on the size of the trampoline. Early trampoline parks had separate trampolines arranged alongside each other, sometimes being tied together about adjacent frame members, and having padding secured over the springs. Thus, where two such trampolines are arranged together with adjacent frames abutting, the space between the jumping mats could be in the order of 400 mm to 800 mm wide. Typically, a full width piece of safety padding is used to cover the adjacent springs of both trampolines as well as the expected stretch of the springs. As a consequence such padding can be up to a metre wide in some cases. Such padded safety barriers are typically secured to the steel frame by straps, clips, hook and loop fasteners or the like to ensure that the springs are well covered for the protection of jumpers using the trampolines.

Similar arrangements are typically made between horizontal and inclined trampolines with large areas of safety padding over horizontal and include springs. In other words, although the trampoline frames are arranged alongside each other, adjacent mats are spaced from each other by virtue of the distance required for sets of springs for each of the mats as well as the frame. The safety padding interferes with movement of persons from one trampoline mat to the adjacent trampoline mat because the springs and the frame are only covered by safety padding which is intended not to be jumped on in the same manner as a trampoline mat but rather to merely protect a person who misses the mat and accidentally lands on the spring space.

Further, when a plurality of side by side trampolines (an array) is used for games such as “dodge ball” or “soccer”, there are substantial areas between the individual mats which are effectively “no-go” zones or at least “no-jump” zones.

The present invention is aimed at providing trampolines, trampoline systems and various components such as mat connectors for connecting trampoline mats together which at least ameliorate some of the aforementioned problems or at least provide an alternative. The invention is also aimed at providing a trampoline mat connector system for connecting trampoline mats of adjacent or adjoining trampolines to each other for use, for example in trampoline parks and a method of joining trampoline mats and supporting such mats in a trampoline park.

With the foregoing in view, the invention in one aspect resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

biasing means mounted to said frame or other foundation; and

a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame or other foundation in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality of mats being operatively connected to each other along respective adjacent portions thereof, and selected second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats upwards; and wherein

adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent portions thereof by selected third ones of said biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation and extending therefrom;

a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats outward to tension said mats and said plurality of mats being supported by selected second ones of said biasing means along their respective connecting portions, said second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats upwards; and wherein

said adjacent mats are operatively connected to each other by other biasing means extending from the connecting portion of one mat to the adjacent connecting portion of the adjacent mat so as to bias adjacent mats towards each other.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

a plurality of jumping mats arranged side by side above said frame or other foundation, at least two adjacent mats of said plurality being connected to each other by biasing means extending from one of said mats to an adjacent mat, said biasing means in use being arranged to bias said adjacent mats towards each other.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame or other foundation;

a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being connected to said first biasing means above said frame or foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means being arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat outward;

said second biasing means being arranged to support said continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery; and wherein

the adjacent mats or mat segments are connected to each other by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats or mat segments towards each other.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame or other foundation;

a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being connected to said first biasing means above said frame or foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means being arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat outward;

said second biasing means being arranged to support said continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery; and wherein

padding is interposed between the second biasing means and the continuous or semi-continuous mat, said padding including locating means adapted to engage said second biasing means at said selected locations to hold said padding in a predetermined position.

Preferably, the padding provides a cavity or channel adapted to at least partially house the coil springs of the third biasing means. The padding also provides locating or engagement means for locating the padding on the hoop springs or engaging the padding with the hoop springs. The passing is held in place along the axis of the hoop springs by cavities extending into the lower face of the padding. The padding is held in place circumferentially of the hoop springs by its position between the mats and also by the coil spring being laid across the upper face of the channels. The placement of the cover over the padding may also assist in retaining the padding in its operative position.

The padding serves to protect a jumper from a hard landing if a foot or hand lands directly on a hoop spring or coil spring as well as to protect the cover from excessive wear. The cover adds to the protection afforded to the jumper. The cover is adapted to slide at least in part over the top of the padding and the coil springs, the coil springs can stretch and retract within the channel or cavity as would occur when the mat is displaced nearby by a jumper. It will be appreciated that the bounce characteristics of the mat and the join by virtue of the second and third biasing means may be adjusted, for example, so that the mat provides a freer bounce and the joint provides a tighter bounce or vice versa.

Preferably, selected second ones of said biasing means or said second biasing means are hoop springs. Preferably, the connection between the adjacent mats or mat segments is a resilient connection provided by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other. Preferably, the second biasing means is arranged substantially below the third biasing means.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a method of joining trampoline mats, including:

connecting a plurality of jumping mats to each other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-continuous mat,

connecting the continuous or semi-continuous mat first biasing means above a frame or foundation about its periphery to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat outward;

supporting said continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation by second biasing means at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery; and

pulling adjacent mats or mat segments towards each other by third biasing means arranged to connect the adjacent mats or mat segments to each other.

The mat segments may be constituted by a plurality of mats joined together by non-resilient joiners or may be a larger mat with the third biasing means or part of the third biasing means being arranged across the mat from one side to the other to provide two or more mat portions. The third biasing means is arranged to bias or pull the two or more portions towards one another, producing a fold, crease or pleat across the mat. Such an arrangement may limit the extent or the stretch of the mat to the length of the mat segment.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame or other foundation;

a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being connected to said first biasing means above said frame or foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means being arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat outward;

said second biasing means being arranged to support said continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery;

third biasing means connecting the adjacent mats or mat segments to each other and arranged to bias the adjacent mats or mat segments towards each other, and wherein

the second biasing means is arranged substantially below the third biasing means and includes a hoop spring formed from a plate and supplementary biasing means operatively connected to said hoop spring to bias opposed sides of said hoop spring towards each other.

The hoop spring may be formed from a plate, band or the like, for example, a leaf spring. The leaf spring may comprise multiple leaves or leaf segments.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame or other foundation;

a plurality of jumping mats connected to said first biasing means above said frame or foundation about the periphery of the plurality of jumping mats, said first biasing means being arranged to bias said mats outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality of mats being operatively connected to each other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent portions thereof;

said second biasing means being arranged to support said plurality of mats above said frame or foundation substantially along the connection between adjacent mats;

padding interposed between said second biasing means and the adjacent mats, said padding including engagement means to retain the connection between adjacent mats above said second biasing means.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

a jumping mat or a plurality of jumping mats connected to each other in side by side relationship to form a continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat;

first biasing means operatively connected to said continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat about its periphery and to said frame or other foundation so as to bias said continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat to keep it taut;

second biasing means arranged to support said continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery;

third biasing means operatively connected to said frame or other foundation under said jumping mat, said second biasing means being connected to said continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat in selected locations spaced inwards from said periphery and arranged to bias one or more selected portions of said continuous or semi-continuous jumping mat towards an adjacent portion.

Preferably, the padding is also shaped to provide a connection to the first biasing means by being shaped to locate the padding in operative disposition above the first biasing means. Preferably, a cover is provided on top of the connection between adjacent mats to cover the padding and the connection.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a method of joining trampoline mats, including:

providing a plurality of trampoline mats;

providing mat biasing means peripheral biasing means and upward biasing means;

joining the mats to each other at their adjacent edges or edge portions by said mat biasing means for biasing each mat towards an adjacent mat to form a trampoline mat assembly;

resiliently supporting the trampoline mat assembly by at least two of its peripheral edges to said peripheral biasing means; and

supporting the adjacent edges of the mats by said upward biasing means.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation and extending therefrom;

a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats outward to tension said mats and said plurality of mats being supported by selected second ones of said biasing means along their respective connecting portions, said second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats upwards; and wherein

said adjacent mats are operatively connected to each other by third biasing means extending from the connecting portion of one mat to the adjacent connecting portion of the adjacent mat so as to bias adjacent mats towards each other.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a mat connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a trampoline including a plurality of mats, the mat connector system including:

a resilient joint support for supporting a mat connector connecting adjacent trampoline mats above a support frame or support surface for downward and lateral displacement of the mat connector with part of at least one of the trampoline mats under a load;

the mat connector including:

-   -   tensioning means operatively interposed between and connected to         spaced adjacent trampoline mats for providing tension towards         each other; and     -   a cover strip having a width sufficient for covering the         tensioning means and an edge portion of the adjacent trampoline         mats, the cover strip being selected to resiliently accommodate         lateral relative displacement of the mats towards and away from         each other upon extension and retraction of the tensioning         means.

Preferably, the tensioning means are provided by a plurality of coil springs extending between the adjacent edges of the adjacent trampoline mats. It is also preferred that the mat springs are coil springs having two opposed ends, each end being attached to an edge of the adjacent trampoline mats to extend therebetween. Preferably, the resilient joint support is provided by a plurality of hoop springs aligned in spaced relationship along a hoop spring axis passing substantially centrally through each hoop spring.

The hoop springs may be formed by various means, a preferred method being to bend a length of spring steel or a similarly resilient material until its ends meet and possibly overlap, the leaf spring thus being formed substantially into a circular form. Preferably, each hoop spring is reinforced by a laterally arranged extension coil spring extending diametrically across the hoop spring. The springs extending across the hoop springs may be of much the same form as the springs connecting adjacent mats. For convenience, the springs connecting the mats may be referred to as mat springs and the springs extending across the hoop springs may be referred to as frame springs. Each hoop is substantially circular, being formed from plate spring steel and is of substantially cylindrical form. An imaginary plane extends inward from the centreline of each plate to span the space enclosed by the cylinder and contains the point at the centre thereof. For convenience, this plane will be referred to as the hoop spring plane.

The hoop springs may also include one or more additional leaves extending part way circumferentially around the hoop. One arrangement is for each hoop spring to have a primary hoop of substantially circular form and for the additional leaves to extend symmetrically upward around the outside of the primary hoop in close engagement therewith or biased against the outside of the primary hoop. At least one of the additional leaves may be provided in a segmental form, preferably the outermost additional leaf. That is to say, at least one of the additional leaves is generally of arcuate form, but the arcuate form is made up from a plurality of straight sections extending end to end at an obtuse angle.

Each hoop spring preferably includes a covering of textile material. Preferably, the covering includes a flange portion extending inwardly from each side of the hoop spring and coincident with the hoop spring plane, extending part way above and below the lateral diameter of the hoop spring. The frame springs are interposed between the flange portions and held taught in their positions by the tension of the frame springs. A metal plate, referred to for convenience hereinafter as a flange plate, is enclosed within at least a part of each flange portion to prevent the frame spring from tearing through the textile of the flange portion.

The hoop springs may also be interconnected to each other by interconnection means to assist in stabilising the disposition of each spring. The interconnection means may include a tensioned cable extending through each flange plate. The position of the cable is diametrically outward from the ends of the frame springs. Alternatively, the interconnection means may include elongate resilient stiffening means attached to the outside of the hoop springs. The elongate stiffening means is provided at least somewhat parallel to the joint between the mats, preferably extending along from hoop spring to hoop spring and connected, fixed or fastened thereto. In one form, the elongate stiffening means is in the form of one or more flexible rods, pipes or plates attached to opposed sides of the hoop springs, preferably diametrically opposed to each other.

The rods or pipes may be circular or elliptical in cross section, the shape of the cross section being selected to provide different stiffness in one direction compared to the stiffness in the direction at right angles thereto. For example, the cross section may be elliptical with the major axis upright, or a plate may be provided in an upright orientation, so that the elongate stiffening member is less flexible in the upright dimension than in the lateral dimension at right angles thereto. The elongate resilient stiffening means is provided to permit the resilient strain of one hoop spring to be transferred at least in part to one or more adjacent hoop springs.

Preferably, the cover strip is in the form of a cover assembly having a substantially inextensible portion and two extensible portions, one alongside each side edge of the substantially inextensible portion. The substantially inextensible portion of the cover assembly may include a central portion and two edge portions. In such form, the edge portions are each are formed from trampoline mat material and joined to an elastic portion. Each elastic portion is joined to one side edge of the central portion. In other words, the cover assembly, taken from one edge to the other, has an edge portion joined to an elastic portion which in turn is joined to the central portion, which in turn is joined to the other elastic portion which in turn is joined to the other edge portion. The edge portions of the cover assembly and the edges of the trampoline mats have attachment means, such as hook and loop fastener, for fastening or attaching the cover assembly to the edges of adjacent trampoline mats. In such form, the adjacent mats are joined to each other by the cover assembly.

Foam having selected characteristics is preferably included in the cover assembly to reduce impact of the cover assembly with the hoop springs supporting the joint. Other materials to resist frictional wear may also be included. The cover assembly may be attached to the edges of the adjacent mats by a hook and loop fastener as hereinbefore described, but other types of fastener may be used, such as zipper, stitching, hooks, buttons or such like.

Preferably, the foam is shaped to engage with an upper portion of each of several hoop springs on the underside of the foam and with the coil springs connecting the trampoline mats on the upper side. In such form, the foam is provided as a padding assembly operatively interposed between the individual elements of the tension means. The padding assembly may include an upper pad sized to fit under the cover assembly and a plurality of interpositional pads for operative interposition between the coil springs of the tension means. In such form, the interpositional pads may be attached to the underside of the cover assembly.

In a preferred form, the padding assembly has three layers. The lower layer is an elongate strip extending along and between the edges of adjacent trampoline mats and having rectangular cavities penetrating therethrough at regular intervals in register with the upper portions of the hoop springs. An intermediate layer is bonded to the upper face of the lower layer and is provided in the form of discrete substantially rectangular forms spaced from each other by the width of the coil springs connecting the adjacent mats. The rectangular forms have a width commensurate with the spacing between the coil springs and a length commensurate with, but less than, the length of the coil springs. Due to the arrangement of the spacings between the hoop springs and the coil springs, the intermediate layer covers the rectangular penetrations in the lower layer.

The upper layer is bonded to the upper faces of the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer and is likewise composed of discrete forms, one for each of the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer, and are preferably rectangular, but more preferably having rounded or cut-off corners. The width is the same as the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer, but the length is selected to be that of the spacing between the edges of the adjacent mats of the trampoline, thereby overhanging the ends rectangular forms of the intermediate layer. Such an arrangement permits the overhang of the upper layer to be displaced downward when the trampoline mat is displaced downwards under load. Preferably, each layer has the same thickness.

The trampoline according to the invention may be laid out to cover a square or rectangular area and surrounded at least in part by further trampolines extending upwards from the periphery of the rectangle at an oblique angle to form a trampoline court. It will be appreciated that the oblique angle may be vertical.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline court including;

a first plurality of trampoline mats connected edge to edge to each other to form a substantially horizontal resilient floor and

a second plurality of jumping mats connected edge to edge to each other to form a resilient wall extending upward from at least part of the perimeter of the resilient floor at an oblique angle thereto,

the periphery of the first plurality of trampoline mats being supported above a frame or other foundation by first biasing means arranged to bias said plurality of mats outwards to tension said mats;

second biasing means mounted on or to said frame or other foundation below said plurality of mats spaced inwardly from said periphery of the first and second plurality of trampoline mats for biasing the first plurality of trampoline mats upward and for biasing the second plurality of mats upward at a complementary angle to the oblique angle;

the edges between each adjacent trampoline mat of the resilient floor and the resilient wall being connected by third biasing means for biasing the edges of the trampoline mats towards each other to form a resilient joint therebetween;

each resilient joint being supported said second biasing means; and wherein

said second biasing means includes a hoop spring and additional biasing means for biasing opposed sides of the hoop towards each other.

The periphery of the resilient floor may be supported in the traditional manner of supporting trampoline mats, such as coil, rod or leaf springs. However, it is preferred that the edge of the peripheral floor be supported by a rigid or semi rigid frame member along each edge and the mat or mats being connected thereto by non-extendible connectors. In such form, the rigid or semi-rigid frame member is supported by a plurality of springs in spaced relationship along the member. The springs extend between the member and a rigid support frame supported on or above the ground.

Alternatively, the trampoline mats along one or more edges may be supported on a curved frame, in particular, a frame to which the second biasing means has two straight portions and a bend or curve joining the two straight portions. In such form, the first and second plurality of jumping mats become merged, the oblique jumping mats being contiguous with the jumping mats along one or more edges of the resilient floor.

Accordingly, in another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline having a mat resiliently supported by its edges above the ground by a support frame, at least one edge of the mat having a rigid or semi-rigid frame member attached thereto by substantially inextensible attachment means and a tension means interconnecting the rigid or semi-rigid frame member frame and the support frame.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a mat connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a trampoline including a plurality of mats, the mat connector system including:

a housing and two hollow connecting blocks;

the housing including means such as a passage for connecting a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing, and at least one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving the two hollow connecting blocks in substantially parallel relationship, the cavity, recess or passage opening to an upper face of the housing for connection of the edge portions of adjacent mats to be connected thereto and to at least one end face of the housing for fitting the connecting blocks thereto, the housing being so made and arranged as to prevent the connecting block escaping from the opening to the upper face.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a mat connector system for connecting adjacent mats of a trampoline including a plurality of mats, the mat connector system including:

a housing and a connecting block;

the housing including means such as a passage for connecting a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing, and at least one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving the connecting block, the cavity, recess or passage opening to an upper face of the housing for connection of the edge portions of adjacent mats to be connected thereto and to at least one end face of the housing for fitting the connecting block thereto, the housing being so made and arranged as to prevent the connecting block escaping from the opening to the upper face, the connecting block having two longitudinal spaced apart passages and each longitudinal passage having an opening thereto along its length for receiving therein the edge portion of a mat.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a trampoline mat joiner for connecting adjacent trampoline mats to a plurality of springs extending below the trampoline mats, the trampoline mat connector being made up from a plurality of strips of flexible material laid up on top of each other, the layers including:

a joining layer having

-   -   joining means for detachably joining the joining layer to the         plurality of springs and     -   attachment means on the upper side and along of each side edge;

a padding layer having

-   -   a width less than that of the attachment layer disposed above         the connecting layer;

a joining layer above the padding layer and having

-   -   a width greater than that of the padding layer,     -   complementary attachment means on the lower side along each side         edge for detachable attachment to the attachment means of the         connecting layer to form an elongate passage for retaining the         padding layer and     -   primary retaining means on the upper side along each side edge;         and

a cover layer above the joining layer and having

-   -   a width greater than that of the joining layer and     -   secondary retaining means on the lower side along each side         edge,     -   the trampoline mats each having complementary retaining means on         the upper and lower faces along at least one edge of the mat for         engagement between the primary and secondary retaining means         whereby the mats may be joined to each other and connected to at         least some of the springs.

Preferably, the cover layer is in the form of the cover assembly hereinbefore described.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a detachable mat for a trampoline having a mat connector attached to a trampoline frame, the mat connector including:

a housing and a hollow connecting block;

the housing including means such as a passage for connecting a leaf spring or other biasing means to the housing, and at least one cavity, recess or passage therein for receiving the hollow connecting, the cavity, recess or passage opening to an upper face of the housing for connection of an edge portions of the mats to be connected thereto and to at least one end face of the housing for fitting the connecting block thereto, the housing being so made and arranged as to prevent the connecting block escaping from the opening to the upper face.

Preferably, the layers of the trampoline mat connector are formed of a material of greater elasticity than the main part of the mat.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a detachable trampoline mat for a trampoline having a frame and a trampoline mat connector connected to a plurality of springs extending below the trampoline mat to the frame, the trampoline mat connector being made up from a plurality of strips of flexible material laid up on top of each other, the layers including:

a connecting layer having

-   -   connecting means for detachably connecting the connecting layer         to the plurality of springs and     -   attachment means on the upper side and along a side edge;

a padding layer having

-   -   a width less than that of the attachment layer disposed above         the connecting layer;

a joining layer above the padding layer and having

-   -   a width greater than that of the padding layer,     -   complementary attachment means on the lower side along an inner         side edge for detachable attachment to the attachment means of         the connecting layer and     -   a seam along the along the other side edge, being the outer side         edge, the seam joining the joining layer to the connecting layer         to form an elongate passage for retaining the padding layer and     -   primary retaining means on the upper side along the inner side         edge; and

a cover layer above the joining layer and having

-   -   a width greater than that of the joining layer and     -   secondary retaining means on the lower side along an inner side         edge,

the trampoline mat having complementary retaining means on the upper and lower faces along at least one edge of the mat for engagement between the primary and secondary retaining means whereby the mat may be detachably joined to the mat connector and connected to at least some of the springs.

Preferably, the attachment means, complementary attachment means, retaining means and complementary retaining means are constituted by hook and loop fastener strips of the hook and loop or velour crochet type. It is also preferred that the cover layer includes an extra strip of hook and loop fastener to prevent the cover layer peeling back off the jumping mats.

Preferably, the flexible material of each strip is substantially inextensible. In an alternative form, the flexible material is extensible across the width of the strips. In a preferred form, a cover layer is provided in the form of the cover assembly hereinbefore described. It will be appreciated that where extensible material is used for the layers or part thereof, it is not necessary that the padding layer be extensible or as extensible as the other layers.

The mats may be connected to the cylindrical leaf springs via mat connectors which hold the adjoining mats a predetermined distance above the leaf springs. Advantageously, the configuration of the cylindrical leaf springs allows the mat portion at the joint to be an active part of the mat, allowing users to jump on the joint. The configuration also allows the cylindrical leaf springs to “roll” by deforming the cylindrical shape and thereby providing a horizontal component of bias to the mat at the connecting edge (or joint) when a person jumps on one mat as well as an upwards or vertical component of bias.

Where abutting mat connectors or spaced apart mat connectors are used, the mat connectors along the connection portions of adjacent mats may be themselves be joined by flexible or semi-rigid longitudinal connecting means such as hollow fibreglass bars or rods selected and arranged to allow the connectors to work together to some extent by transmitting forces to adjacent connectors in a diminishing order. In that respect, it will be appreciated that each pair of adjoining mats may be joined together by a plurality of connectors and both mats will be attached to each connector. In such form it is also preferred that the flexible or semi-rigid connecting means be secured together between adjacent connectors by securing means such as steel clips selected and arranged to prevent such connecting means from separating.

It is also preferred that the connectors have a rigid outer housing or casing which is adapted to be connected to the relevant leaf spring against relative movement therebetween and that the adjoining mats be connected to the connector against relative movement therebetween. In that respect, the housing includes recesses or cavities adapted to receive therein the longitudinal connecting means.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline assembly including:

a frame;

a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending therefrom; and

first and second jumping mats connected to selected ones of the biasing means respectively above the frame in side by side relation, the selected biasing means along a portion of each of the mats comprising leaf springs having opposite free ends, the leaf springs being connected to the frame intermediate the free ends and portions of the leaf springs adjacent each of the free ends being above the frame and spaced apart along the portion of the mats to which they are connected and wherein one of the mats is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent one of the free ends and the other of the mats is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent the other of the free ends to provide alternate connections for the first and second mats.

In another aspect, the invention resides broadly in a trampoline including:

a frame;

a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending therefrom; and

a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected ones of the biasing means respectively above the frame in side by side relation, the selected biasing means along a portion of each of the mats comprising leaf springs having opposite free ends, the leaf springs being connected to the frame intermediate the free ends and portions of the leaf springs adjacent each of the free ends being above the frame and spaced apart along the portion of the mats to which they are connected and wherein one of the plurality of mats is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent one of the free ends and an adjacent one of the plurality of mats is connected to the leaf spring at or adjacent the other of the free ends so as to bias adjacent side by side jumping mats towards each other.

Selected leaf springs may be comprised of pairs of opposed leaf springs, the leaf springs of each of the pairs being connected to the frame at or adjacent one end and diverging away from the frame and curving inwards towards each other towards the other end so as to provide a substantially horizontal portion above the frame and have a connector connecting the substantially horizontal portions of the pair of leaf springs such that they move together with the transfer forces from one mat to the adjacent mat.

The trampoline may be of a form which includes a frame; a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending therefrom; and first and second jumping mats operatively connected to each other along a connecting portion of each thereof and to selected first ones of the biasing means above the frame in side by side relation, the selected first ones of the biasing means being arranged to bias the first and second mats outwards to tension the mats and the first and second mats being operatively connected to selected second ones of the biasing means along the connecting portions, the second biasing means being arranged to bias the first and second mats upwards.

The trampoline may be of a form which includes a frame; a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending therefrom; and a plurality of jumping mats connected to each other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to selected first ones of the biasing means respectively above the frame in side by side relation, the selected first ones of the biasing means being arranged to bias the plurality of mats outwards to tension the mats and the plurality of mats being operatively connected to selected second ones of the second biasing means along their respective connecting portions, the second biasing means being arranged to bias the plurality of mats upwards.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline court including;

a first plurality of trampoline mats connected edge to edge to each other to form a substantially horizontal resilient floor and

a second plurality of jumping mats connected edge to edge to each other to form a resilient wall extending upward from at least part of the perimeter of the resilient floor at an oblique angle thereto,

the edges between each adjacent trampoline mat of the resilient floor and the resilient wall being connected by biasing means for biasing the edges towards each other to form a resilient joint therebetween;

each resilient joint being supported on a resilient joint support for supporting the joint at a rest position such that displacement of either or both of the adjacent mats is resiliently accommodated by stretching of the joint between the adjacent mats and flexure of the hoop spring whereby the joint may move laterally or downward or both from the rest position.

In another aspect, the present invention resides broadly in a trampoline including:

a frame;

a plurality of biasing means connected to the frame and extending upwardly therefrom; and

a plurality of jumping mats joined to each other along their respective adjacent edges and supported on said biasing means in side by side relation, each biasing means including a hoop spring, the connection of said hoop spring to said frame being substantially directly below the joint between the adjacent mats such that application of a force on either adjacent mat is resiliently accommodated by flexure of the hoop spring such that the joint between the mats on the hoop spring moves laterally with respect to the connection of the hoop spring to the frame and application of a downward force to both adjacent mats is accommodated by flexure of the hoop spring such that the joint between the mats moves downwards.

The biasing means each may comprise a leaf spring forming a loop which is closed at the top adjacent the mat and connects to the frame at the bottom. In other words, in such form, the leaf spring has two opposed ends which connect to the frame and from which the leaf spring extends outwards and upwards for a predetermined distance and then upwards and inwards to form a leaf spring of substantially cylindrical form—“the cylindrical leaf springs” and/or “loop springs” hereinbefore described.

The free edge portions of the connecting portions of the adjoining mats may be secured to the longitudinal connecting means, for example by engaging in slots provided therein. The longitudinal connecting means may be encased in a flexible and resilient material such as rubber and that the flexible and resilient material be shaped to provide a relatively sharp of abrupt corner at the line where the connecting mats adjoin so as to give the appearance of continuity of the mat across the joint.

The layers of the trampoline mat connector may be formed of a material of greater elasticity than the main part of the mat in order to reduce the effect of “double bounce” from a person simultaneously jumping on an adjacent mat. It is believed that the elastic material selected should approximate as closely as possible spaced apart horizontal coil springs along the length of the connecting portions.

The biasing means may all be leaf springs and in such form, all the leaf springs which are not connecting the mat along adjoining mats may extend upwardly from the frame. Such leaf springs may be sized so as to bend generally in only one direction, for example, in the case of a square mat, the leaf springs would only bend inwards and outwards towards the opposite side of the mat, which would generally include an up and down component as well but no sideways component. That is to say the axis of each spring would bend in a vertical plane only.

Each leaf spring may comprise a plurality of laminated elongate layers of spring steel over a substantial portion of its length. In one such form selected to meet desired rebound characteristics for the mat, the leaf spring comprises different numbers of layers at different places along its length. It is preferred that the springs along and supporting the joint be shaped to provide more up and down bending upon a person jumping on the region of the joint as well as the joint itself than the springs located at the outside of the mats, that is, where the mats do not adjoin another mat bout the periphery of the assembly of jumping mats.

The term “leaf spring” used herein is generally intended to refer to leaf springs having a rectangular cross section. However, it is to be understood that leaf springs of other cross sections which might not generally be considered as “leaf springs” are intended to be included within the scope of that term, unless clearly not appropriate. For example, leaf springs of square cross section or round cross section which are capable of carrying out the equivalent function of the leaf springs described and illustrated are herein referred to as “leaf springs”.

In a preferred form, the invention resides broadly in trampoline or trampoline system including:

a frame or other foundation;

first and second biasing means mounted on or to said frame or other foundation;

a plurality of jumping mats or mat segments operatively connected to each other in side by side relationship along respective adjacent portions thereof to provide a substantially continuous or semi-continuous mat, the continuous or semi-continuous mat being connected to said first biasing means above said frame or foundation about its periphery and said first biasing means being arranged to bias said continuous or semi-continuous mat outwards;

said second biasing means including a plurality of hoop springs upwardly biasing said continuous or semi-continuous mat above said frame or foundation at selected locations spaced inward from said periphery;

the adjacent mats or mat segments being connected to each other by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats or mat segments towards each other; and wherein

the third biasing means includes extension springs attached to the edges or edge portions of the adjacent mats or mat portions and further including a resiliently elastic cover and padding interposed between the cover and the hoop springs, the padding having locating means for locating the padding on the hoop springs and a plurality of channels for housing the extension springs of the third biasing means.

Preferably, the trampoline or trampoline system includes a rigid or semi rigid frame member interposed between the periphery the first biasing means. Preferably, the plurality of mats or mat segments is connected to the rigid or semi rigid frame member by flexible non-extendible connectors for spacing the periphery from the rigid or semi rigid member. The first biasing means may include a plurality of coil springs extending outward from the rigid or semi rigid member and substantially coplanar with the mats or mat segments, or alternatively, or in addition thereto, a plurality of leaf springs arranged angularly to the mats or mat segments to provide the outward biasing.

Preferably, the hoop springs include supplementary biasing means arranged to bias the sides of the hoop springs towards each other substantially parallel to the mats or mat segments. Preferably, interconnection means are provided in the form of a two or more cables extending through the hoops and linked thereto such that at least some of displacement of one hoop is transferred to one or more hoops adjacent thereto.

The present invention lends itself to banks of trampoline mats of different polygonal shapes, particularly hexagonal mats which provide for better support in the corners than square or rectangular trampolines. In such form, polygonal mats are preferably joined edge to edge by the trampoline mat connector system according to the present invention.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood and put into practice reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial and partly exploded view of a trampoline park having a trampoline and mat connectors for trampolines according the invention;

FIG. 2a is a pictorial view of a portion of the support frame for a trampoline mat according to the invention;

FIG. 2b is a pictorial view of a portion of another support frame for a trampoline mat according to the invention;

FIG. 2c is a diagrammatic plan view of a part of the support frame of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 2d is a diagrammatic plan view of a part of the support frame of FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 3a is a pictorial view of a part of an edge frame support assembly for supporting an edge portion of a trampoline mat according to the invention;

FIG. 3b is a pictorial view of another part of the edge frame support assembly of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4a is pictorial, partly disassembled view of a part of two adjacent trampoline mats showing a joint and a cover assembly extending therebetween as supported by the support frame of FIGS. 1a or 1 b;

FIG. 4b is another view of the mats of FIG. 4a from a different angle;

FIG. 4c is another view of the mats of FIG. 4a from underneath;

FIG. 4d is another view of the mats of FIG. 4a from another angle;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic pictorial view of a trampoline mat joint and cover assembly without the support frame;

FIG. 6 is another diagrammatic pictorial view of the trampoline mat joint and cover assembly without the support frame;

FIG. 7a is a pictorial view of part of a trampoline mat connector according to the invention with part of a cover assembly peeled back to reveal elements normally hidden from view;

FIG. 7b is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector of FIG. 7a with the cover assembly removed and the edges of the trampoline mat peeled back to show elements normally hidden from view;

FIG. 7c is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector with the cover assembly removed of FIG. 7b with the edges of the mats in their normal disposition;

FIG. 7d is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector of FIG. 7c with the padding assembly lifted;

FIG. 7e is a pictorial view of part of an alternative cover assembly;

FIG. 8a is a pictorial view showing the corner mounting arrangements for oblique trampoline mats extending upward from the edges of the joined trampoline mats;

FIG. 8b is a pictorial view showing generally the underside of the obliquely mounted trampolines;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a cover assembly for covering the other elements used for joining the jumping mats illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 a to 2 d;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of a trampoline mat connector according to the invention viewed from below and one end;

FIG. 11 is an exploded pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of the trampoline mat connector of FIG. 10 viewed from above and one end;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the alternative trampoline mat connector of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a pictorial view of a modification of the alternative trampoline mat connector viewed from below and one end;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the trampoline park of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a pictorial view a portion of the trampoline park of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of part of the frame for the trampoline park of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a frame support for the trampoline park of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a pictorial view of the frame support of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a pictorial view of a spring arrangement for the trampoline park of FIG. 1;

FIG. 21 is an end view of the spring arrangement illustrated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of the alternative connector of FIG. 14;

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic sectional elevation of a tube connection arrangement;

FIG. 24 is another view of the alternative connector of FIG. 14;

FIG. 25 is a schematic pictorial representation of a portion of a double mat trampoline showing the mat connector fitting and cylindrical leaf spring in part;

FIG. 26 is a schematic end elevation of the arrangement of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a schematic end elevation of the arrangement of FIG. 17 with a slightly different connector;

FIG. 28 is a sectional end elevation of the connecting part of another trampoline according to the invention; and

FIG. 29 is a sectional end elevation of the connecting part of another trampoline according to the invention which is similar to the one shown in FIG. 20;

The trampoline park 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 may be considered as a trampoline system, trampoline field or trampoline park or for use in a trampoline park. The trampoline includes a frame 01 supported on a floor 02 or other foundation. Biasing means is mounted on or to said frame or other foundation and is described in more detail later. A plurality of jumping mats shown typically at 03 is connected to selected first ones of the biasing means 04 above the frame or other foundation in side by side relationship, the selected first ones of the biasing means being arranged around the periphery of the plurality of jumping mats to bias the plurality of mats outwards to tension the mats. The mats are operatively connected to each other along respective edge portions thereof shown typically at 05, and selected second ones of the biasing means are mounted on or to the frame or other foundation below said plurality of mats. Adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent portions by selected third ones of the biasing means and arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other. The second ones of the biasing means are located below the connections between the mats as described in more detail in respect of FIGS. 2a to 2 d. The third ones of the biasing means are illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 4a to 6.

An oblique wall 06 surrounds most of the trampoline leaving an access opening in one side. The oblique wall is formed of trampoline jumping mats supported and connected in similar arrangement to the plurality of jumping mats, but at an oblique angle extending upwards from the edge of the trampoline. A safety wall or net 07 is mounted to the upper edges of the oblique trampolines.

The first ones of the biasing means are mounted to the frame to form a trampoline support frame 20 illustrated in FIGS. 2a to 2 d. The trampoline support frame includes a plurality of hoop springs shown typically at 13 spaced substantially regularly from each other along a hoop axis and also being substantially parallel to each other. The hoop springs are supported on a frame member 27, each hoop spring being fastened to the frame member by a bolt shown typically at 28.

Each hoop spring has a laterally arranged coil spring shown typically at 11 interposed between two lateral straps shown typically at 12 in FIGS. 2a and 12a in FIG. 2 b, the lateral straps and lateral spring coinciding substantially with the lateral diameter of the hoop spring. The lateral straps 12 shown in FIG. 2a are oriented substantially vertically, whereas the lateral straps 12 a in FIG. 2b are oriented substantially horizontally. The hoops are each covered by a sleeve of webbing material and from which the lateral straps extend diametrically inwardly, also formed from webbing material. A metal plate shown typically at 17 is encased, preferably removably, in the lateral straps 12 of FIG. 2a for attachment of the coil springs which hold the straps in their diametral disposition across the hoop. The same arrangement is provided where the trampoline mats are arranged obliquely, the support frame being tilted at the appropriate angle.

Two parallel cables 16 as shown in FIG. 2a are fastened to a cable anchor described below in relation to FIGS. 3b and 8 b. In an alternative arrangement shown in FIG. 2b an elongate stiffening member 14 is attached to the outside of the hoop springs substantially at an extension of the lateral diameter of each hoop, and substantially parallel to the frame member 27. Each stiffening member is in the form of a hollow pipe in the illustration shown, but it will be appreciated that the stiffening member could be of some other form selected according to the flexure characteristics of the joint and jumping mats. The stiffening members are resiliently displaced outwards from the centre of the hoops and downward when a person jumps on the mat or on the joint, there being a cover provided thereon as described hereinunder.

The edge frame support assembly 50 shown in FIG. 3a includes a lower frame member 51 supported above the ground extending substantially parallel to the edge of a trampoline mat (not shown), a peripheral frame member 52 supported in spaced disposition from the frame member upwardly and outwardly therefrom at an elevation substantially the same as the trampoline mat and an intermediate bar 52 supported substantially above the frame member and inwardly from the peripheral frame member.

The intermediate bar is supported in its position by a plurality of leaf springs shown typically at 54 extending upwardly from the lower frame member as well as by a plurality of coil springs 55 extending between the intermediate bar and the peripheral frame member and in register with the leaf springs. A plurality of flexible webs shown typically at 56 extend inward from the intermediate bar to the mat, the flexible webs being in register with the coil and leaf springs. The intermediate bar is of a selected flexibility so that a force on the mat near one of the leaf and coil springs is transmitted to adjacent leaf and coil springs by deflection of the mat. The flexible webs provide a “soft edge” to the trampoline mats, offering substantially no resistance to downward displacement in and of themselves. The coil springs have a short chain 57 interposed connecting them to the peripheral frame member. The relative lengths of the chain and the coil spring may be adjusted to change the bounce characteristics of the trampoline.

A lower oblique mat support member 58 runs parallel to the lower frame member inwardly therefrom and at substantially the same elevation. A plurality of oblique coil springs shown typically at 59 resiliently connect an oblique trampoline mat 60 to the frame oblique mat support member. The coil springs are preferably encased in a sleeve.

The joint and cover assembly illustrated in FIGS. 4a to 6 includes a frame support 20 a of similar form to that illustrated in FIGS. 2a to 2d except that the elongate stiffening members or cables are absent and supplementary spring supports 18 extend from the lateral diametral points of the hoop springs to a supplementary frame member (not shown) running parallel to the frame member 27.

The adjacent jumping mats 21 are connected to each other by a plurality of mat joining springs 23 and a cover assembly is arranged to have a substantially inextensible central portion 24 interposed between two extensible strips 25, each extensible strip being interposed between an opposed edge of the central portion and a respective side strip 26. Each side strip also provides attachment to an edge of the appropriate jumping mat along a complementary attachment strip 29. The side strips and attachment strips preferably include hook and loop fastener strips, preferably all of the way along in order to provide sufficient adhesion of the cover assembly to the adjacent jumping mats.

The trampoline mat connector 30 illustrated in FIG. 7a includes a cover assembly 19 of stretchable material having one part of a hook and loop fastener 19 a along each edge for engagement with the complementary part of the hook and loop fastener along the edges of the adjacent mats. A padding assembly 30 is interposed between the cover assembly and the upper portion of the hoop springs.

The padding assembly has two or three layers, a lower layer is in the form of an elongate strip extending along and between the edge of adjacent trampoline mats and having rectangular cavities (not shown) penetrating therethrough at regular intervals in register with the upper portions of the hoop springs. An upper layer 35 is bonded to the upper face of the lower layer and is provided in the form of discrete forms spaced from each other by the width of the coil springs joining the adjacent mats and having an overhang 36 at each end. The upper layer covers the rectangular penetrations in the lower layer. In the embodiment illustrated there are two coil springs between each adjacent pair of hoop springs.

The upper layer is bonded to the upper faces of the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer and is likewise composed of discrete forms, one for each of the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer, and are preferably rectangular, but more preferably having rounded or cut-off corners. The width is the same as the rectangular forms of the intermediate layer, but the length is selected to be that of the spacing between the edges of the adjacent mats of the trampoline, thereby overhanging the ends rectangular forms of the intermediate layer. Such an arrangement permits the upper layer to be displaced downward when the trampoline mat is displaced downwards under load. Preferably, each layer has the same thickness.

The alternative padding assembly 30 a illustrated in FIG. 7d includes an elongate top cover pad 31 to which are bonded a plurality of pads in spaced relationship from each other along the length of the underside. In a typical arrangement, the top cover pad is of a length commensurate with the length of the edge of the trampoline mats being joined together. The springs joining the mats together are spaced alternately at wide and narrow spacings, the wide spacings being about twice the width as the narrow spacings. The filler pads are sized correspondingly, and are referred to for convenience as wide pads shown typically at 32 and narrow pads 33 shown typically at 33. The spacing between the filler pads is selected to provide good clearance from the springs passing between them. The clearance is selected to accommodate possible linear displacement of parts of the padding assembly due to displacement of the mat under load.

The cover assembly 40 illustrated in FIG. 7e has a main cover strip 41 of stretchable material having a strip of hook and loop along each edge for firm, but temporary, fastening to the edges of adjacent mats. A high visibility strip 42, also being stretchable, may be fastened atop the main cover strip if desired for indicating the joint between adjacent mats. The high visibility strip 42 is shown partly unrolled on top of the main cover strip, the remainder of the high visibility strip for that length of the joint being shown in a roll 43.

The cover strips are formed from a material which is stretchable in one direction, but substantially non-stretchable in the other direction. For locations where the joints between mats meet at a three-way or four-way intersection, the material used for the cover assembly is stretchable in both directions. Because the cover assembly is subject to frictional contact with other elements of the trampoline connector according to the invention, it is readily replaceable by virtue of the hook and loop fasteners.

The corner mounting arrangements 80 for oblique trampoline mats illustrated in FIG. 8a shows the arrangement for two oblique trampoline mats 81 extending upward from the edges of the joined trampoline mats shown generally at 21. The corner also shows two edge frame support assemblies intersecting without necessarily meeting at a right-angle corner. Two oblique frame members 82 are mounted to the floor 83. A plurality of spring and chain assemblies shown typically at 86 connect respectively to the edge each oblique trampoline mat, crossing over or under each other to keep the mats resiliently taught. The corner between the mats forms a sloping valley, the oblique trampoline mats in the corners being trapezoidal to accommodate the sloping valley.

The underside 90 of the trampoline shown generally in FIG. 8b shows a safety net 91 secured to the underside of the obliquely mounted trampolines. Further safety nets are mounted to the underside of the horizontal trampoline mats in similar fashion. A cable anchor 92 is provided at each end of the frame member to extend through the hoops. The cables each penetrate the metal plate of each lateral strap 12 as shown in FIG. 1 a. The cable anchor is provided on each oblique frame member 93 supporting the trampolines mats which are at an oblique angle. The arrangement permits part of the deflection of one hoop spring under load to be taken up by one or more adjacent hoop springs along the hoop axis and extending from either side where an adjacent hoop spring is provided. The cables may be tightened to the required tension by a turnbuckle 94 having a nut 95 threadedly engaged therewith.

The trampoline mat connector 1010 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a connecting layer 1011 in the form of an elongate strip of substantially inextensible material. The connecting layer has a plurality of connecting tabs 1012 in regularly spaced arrangement along the underside, one of which is shown. The connecting tabs are smaller strips which are elongate in the same direction as the elongate dimension of the connecting layer. Each connecting tab is detachably connectible to one of a plurality of round springs 1013, one of which is shown. The round springs are also in regularly spaced arrangement along a frame axis which extends in the same direction as the elongate dimension of the connecting layer. The round springs are of circular form as described in our international application No. PCT/AU2015/000398 (“our earlier application”). The connecting tabs are formed from hook and loop fastener material. The connecting layer also has an attachment strip 1014 running along each side edge on the upper face in the form of a strip of hook material for a hook and loop fastener. The arrangements of the present invention may be applied to the trampoline described in our earlier application for both the horizontal trampoline mats and the sloping or oblique trampoline mats.

A padding layer 1015 is disposed above the connecting layer and is also in the form of an elongate strip, but the padding layer is narrower than the connecting layer by at least the width of the attachment strip. A joining layer 1016 is disposed above the padding layer and a width greater than that of the padding layer, the width being about the same as that of the connecting layer. A complementary attachment strip 1017 is provided on the lower side along each side edge for detachable attachment to the attachment strip of the connecting layer. When the attachment strip and complementary attachment strips are attached to each other, an elongate passage is provided for retaining the padding layer between the connecting layer and the joining layer.

The joining layer also has a primary retaining strip 1018 on the upper side along each side edge. A cover layer 1019 is disposed above the joining layer and has a width greater than that of the joining layer and a secondary retaining strip 1020 on the lower side along each side edge. The retaining strips are also provided in the form of the hook material for a hook and loop fastener. The joining layer is illustrated in FIG. 8 in two parts having a gap in between, but the joining layer may be a contiguous layer.

Two adjacent trampoline mats 1021 each have a complementary retaining strip on both the upper and lower faces at 1022 and 1023 respectively along at least part of the adjacent edges for engagement between the primary and secondary retaining strips of the joining and cover layers. By this arrangement, the mats may be joined to each other and connected to at least some of the springs.

The alternative trampoline connector illustrated in FIG. 14 has some of the same elements as the trampoline connector illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, those elements in common having the same reference numerals. However, a central strip 1024 is interposed between the two sides of the connector to permit the connector to stretch in the transverse direction, that is, in the direction substantially at right angles to the elongate axis of the connector. In the modification illustrated in FIG. 14, a first overlap strap 1025 and a second overlap strap 1026 are provided to connect the connector to the springs of the trampoline frame.

The trampoline park 1030 illustrated in FIG. 15 and in part in FIG. 16 has a plurality of trampolines arranged with their mats in edge to edge abutting or adjacent relationship, being joined to each other by the connectors of the present invention. The trampoline park has a support rail 1027 supporting the springs and being elevated by a plurality of regularly spaced frame supports 1026 as illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. The support rail also meets with extended uprights 1028 to support the upper edge of obliquely arranged trampolines. The obliquely arranged trampolines have their springs mounted to oblique support rails 1029 in similar fashion to those of the horizontal support rail shown at 1027.

Alternative arrangements for mounting the hoop springs are shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. At the joints between two coplanar trampolines, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the springs are inserted into the hollow passage of the support rail through a slit or slot and fastened in place by a fastener 1028. As shown in FIG. 24, there is provided a first connecting strip 1031 and a second connecting strip 1032, the first connecting strip being taken around the spring and fastened in place by the second connecting strip. The first and second connecting strips are comprised of a complementary pair of hook and loop fastening strips.

The trampoline 810 illustrated in part in FIGS. 25 and 26 has a relatively rigid connector 860 used to connect the mats 821 as will be described in more detail later. Additionally, the two mats have an elastic edge portion 821 a at their adjoining edges. The leaf springs 827 at the connecting portion of the two mats 821 are similar to the leaf springs illustrated our co-pending international application No. PCT/AU2015/000398 in that they are generally cylindrical in form, although they are not helical but instead have their free ends aligned. However, in trampoline 810, the cylindrical leaf springs 827 have their free ends secured in the centre mounting frame member 820 and the upper centre portion of each spring referenced as item 840 rests in a slot 861 provided in the connector housing 862.

The connector housing 862 is constructed of a rigid plastics material and has a longitudinally extending cavity 864 provided therein (in the direction of the edges of the mats to be connected). The cavity opens upwards towards the mat at longitudinal opening 865 to allow the two mat edge portions to be fitted therethrough. The cavity also opens to the opposite end faces 866 and 867. As can be seen in FIGS. 25 and 26, the connector includes two longitudinally extending slightly flexible but resilient tubes 871 and 872 (formed of a hardened rubber compound) which rest in the cavity 864 in slightly spaced apart relationship and the edge portions of the two mats are fitted over the respective tubes and engage in slots 871 a and 872 a provided therein. It will be appreciated that the outer face of the tubes engage the inner face of the cavity 864 so as to inhibit rolling of the tubes and the upper opening 865 is sized to prevent the tubes rolling out of the cavity. Notably, the tubes 871 and 872 are shaped to provide relatively sharp corners 871 b and 872 b to sharpen the corners of the mat thereby providing a somewhat invisible joint.

The edge portions of the mats are also respectively held in their rubber tubes by flexible fibreglass rods 873 and 874 which have slots 873 a and 874 a provided therein along their lengths. Notably, rods 873 and 874 extend across the full length of the adjoining mats and connect all the mat connectors 860 connecting the mats 821 together. That is to say, the fibreglass rods 873 and 874 lock the respective mat edge portions in their respective rubber tubes 871 and 872 and also hold the connectors together although the flexibility of the fibreglass rods allows some relative movement between adjacent connectors. Suitably, in the trampoline 810 illustrated, the connectors are slightly spaced apart and a connector “clip” 874 is fitted to the two fibreglass rods 873 and 874 to hold them together between adjacent connectors thereby assisting the connector blocks to hold the two mats together. In this case, the clip is formed of two abutting steel tubes welded together but in other forms it could be manufactured of a suitable plastics material.

Another trampoline mat connector is illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28. However, in this example, the mats 921 and 922 are held together by spaced apart strips 973 of hook and loop fasteners such as that commonly known as “VELCRO” extending fully along the joint with a cover strip 977 of mat fabric thereover which in turn is secured to the respective adjoining mats along both edges by zippers 978 and stitching 979 extending fully across the adjoining mats. In this case, instead of having hoop springs as in the trampolines of FIGS. 1 to 28, the biasing means at the joint region of the two mats includes an elongate hydrostatic air bag 927 extending fully across the two trampoline mats under the joint line and the mats are secured thereto by a wide strip of hook and loop fasteners 994 such as “VELCRO”.

As can be seen in FIG. 28 the hydrostatic air bag is secured to the frame member 920 by leaf springs 971 spaced apart along the length of the bag which in turn are secure to the bag by strips of hook and loop fasteners 972. Advantageously the leaf springs bias the bag to the centre of the frame member 920 as the bag tends to roll from side to side under the action of persons jumping on the adjacent mats and the bag accommodates jumping at the joint area while resiliently supporting the adjoining mats upwards.

The alternate connection shown in FIG. 29 also uses the hydrostatic air bag 927 but in this case an “intermediate mat” 981 is connected to the bag by hook and loop fasteners 973 and the two jumping mats 921 and 922 are connected to the intermediate mat by hook and loop fasteners 982 and 983. The loops are may be formed by a strip of webbing cloth which is stitched to the mat on its underside in a broken manner to provide spaced apart sleeves for the leaf springs. This arrangement is particularly advantageous with continuous mats and is relatively simple.

In use, trampolines according to the invention may be assembled into a trampoline park, court or field. Such a trampoline park provides more versatility for games such as dodgeball or soccer because the players are not confined to bouncing, landing, walking or standing on the jumping mats themselves.

The foregoing description has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention and many modifications and variations which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the following claims. 

1. A trampoline system including: a frame or other foundation; biasing means mounted to said frame or other foundation; and a plurality of jumping mats connected to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame or other foundation in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats outwards to tension said mats, and said plurality of mats being operatively connected to each other along respective adjacent portions thereof, and selected second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said mats upwards; and wherein adjacent mats are connected to each other along adjacent portions thereof by selected third ones of said biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other.
 2. A trampoline system including: a frame or other foundation; biasing means connected to said frame or other foundation and extending therefrom; a plurality of jumping mats operatively connected to each other along respective connecting portions thereof and/or to selected first ones of said biasing means respectively above said frame in side by side relationship, said selected first ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats outward to tension said mats and said plurality of mats being supported by selected second ones of said biasing means along their respective connecting portions, said second ones of said biasing means being arranged to bias said plurality of mats upwards; and wherein said adjacent mats are operatively connected to each other by third ones of biasing means extending from the connecting portion of one mat to the adjacent connecting portion of the adjacent mat so as to bias adjacent mats towards each other.
 3. A trampoline system including: a frame or other foundation; a plurality of jumping mats arranged side by side above said frame or other foundation, at least two adjacent mats of said plurality being connected to each other by biasing means extending from one of said mats to an adjacent mat, said biasing means in use being arranged to bias said adjacent mats towards each other.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. A trampoline system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said selected second ones of said biasing means or said second biasing means are hoop springs.
 7. The trampoline system according to claim 6, wherein the connection between the adjacent mats or mat segments is a resilient connection provided by third biasing means arranged to bias adjacent mats towards each other.
 8. The trampoline system according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the second biasing means is arranged substantially below the third biasing means. 9-58. (canceled) 